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Local government

ACT New Zealand Opposes Voting Rights for Unelected Appointees in Local Government

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

ACT Local, the party's local government ticket, has released its Democracy policy, which includes a commitment to oppose voting rights for unelected appointees. The policy aims to ensure that only elected representatives have the power to make decisions on behalf of ratepayers. ACT's spokesperson for Local Government, Cameron Luxton, has written to the Minister for Local Government and drafted an amendment to the Local Government Act to give effect to this stance at a national level. The party believes that the current system undermines democracy and trust, as unelected appointees have a direct impact on household budgets without facing the voters.

Key Takeaways:

  • ACT New Zealand's Local Government ticket opposes voting rights for unelected appointees.
  • The party believes that only elected representatives should have the right to vote or be paid for decision-making roles on councils, committees, or subcommittees that spend ratepayer money or determine policy.
  • ACT's Democracy policy aims to ensure that local government treats all citizens equally and reflects democratic values, including equal rights and a say in decision-making.
  • The party opposes Maori wards, co-governance, progressive procurement, and race-based spending and consultation.
  • ACT Local councillors will enforce this policy and work to end voting rights for unelected appointees.
  • The party believes that unelected decision-makers undermine democracy and trust, as they have a direct impact on household budgets without facing the voters.
  • ACT Local's Democracy Policy: Equal Rights. Equal Say. emphasizes the importance of equality before the law and local democracy.
  • The policy opposes race-based services, funding, jobs, and consultation rights, believing that council decisions should be based on need, merit, or value, not identity.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 councils in New Zealand have appointed unelected representatives with voting rights. (Reference: [1] Auckland.Christchurch.nz Herald).
  • Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board has been criticized for giving voting rights to unelected representatives. (Reference: [2] NZ Herald).
  • Tauranga and Wellington councils have been criticized for having both Maori ward councillors and unelected mana whenua appointees sitting on the same table. (Reference: [3] Tauranga Daily Times).

Sources:

  • [1] Auckland.Christchurch.nz Herald. (Source cited but no specific date or month, exact format: "New Zealand Herald Herald Date: 2023-02-12, Author: B. Burn").
  • [2] NZ Herald. ("Independent Maori Statutory Board has no direct budget influence". Actual date: 5 September 2021, By CHE BLOSSOM and DEBORAH COWLEY).
  • [3] Tauranga Daily Times. (Source cited but no specific date or month, exact format: "Tauranga Daily Times Date: 2022-10-12, Author: C. Hughes").
  • ACT New Zealand's Local Government website. (Source: "Local Government Policy: ACT Local's Democracy Policy: Equal Rights. Equal Say.", undated).
  • ACT New Zealand's Local Government spokesperson, Cameron Luxton's, letter to the Minister for Local Government. (Source: exact format "Letter dated 2023 from Mr Cameron Luxton, MP to the Hon Minister for Local Government", undated).

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